Hip-hop meets baroque

From New York to Melbourne, London to Berlin as well as Rome and Amsterdam, the talent of Montalvo-Hervieu Company is universally acclaimed. Together, they create a poetic and warm universe, full of fantasy and wonder, where inventive images and choreography harmoniously mould together to give audiences, old and young alike, a joyful evening.

Rameau's Bossa Fataka blends harmoniously Baroque music and Hip-hop dance, classical and modern music, video and performing arts, real and virtual images. A modern vision of pleasure is offered to us by Jose Montalvo and Dominique Hervieu.

It is a poetic interpretation, which carries an original message both visually and choreographically of the work of celebrated composer King Louis 14th (a contemporary of Kangxi), and Jean-Philippe Rameau.

The piece shows a sensitivity and imagery relevant to modern times. Video Images are frequently used, allowing the ideas of court ballet to be artistically metamorphosed into the present. On a screen, images are shown at high speeds of the Palace of Versailles where Hip Hop, African, and Contemporary dancers and the art of clowns sound effects and dance on point.

In 1981, Jos Montalvo - choreographer - met Dominique Hervieu - dancer - and started to choreograph short pieces in which she was the principal dancer. They created a particular form of movement made of fluidity, rapidity and precision. It was to be the start of an artistic adventure of profound complicity, which gave birth in 1988 to the Montalvo-Hervieu Company.

Chen Nan

June 14 and 15, National Center for the Performing Arts

(China Daily 06/14/2008 page6)